Ngemi.

The birth of a child is a very special occasion. It means continuity. It means that the name that the child will bear will live on for another lifetime, that their lineage and bloodline are continued. Therefore, universally, birth is celebrated not just by the parents of a newborn baby but by a whole community.

Let us talk more about Nongorio. We shall see this deep intention of blessing in the way a newborn is welcomed into this world. We will look at the very fascinating culture of ngemi.

Ngemi is a ululuation. A sharp, rhythmic cry of celebration that is done by women, that mostly appears seemingly spontaneously in the midst of celebratory song and dance. If you have ever witnessed the ‘aaaaririririiii‘ sound of ngemi, you know how it pierces the air and warms the soul. It’s magical!

Now, when a child is born they are welcomed into the world with ngemi. Five ngemi for a boy and four for a girl.

Now each ngemi has its own deep meaning, its intended blessing. It’s Nongorio. Four of these are common, with a boy child having an additional one to make five. Here are the five Ngemi and their respective Nongorio:

Úrathi.

Tranlsated, this is prophecy. Úrathi would also mean foresight or the ability to predict or manifest. So that when that ngemi is said, it is a prayer that this newborn baby shall have the gift of foresight and the ability to affect their destiny and that of their family in a positive way. This goes for both the boy(kahìì) and the girl (kairîtu)

Úgo/ùùgì.

Ngemi ya ùgo is also said for all newborn children. Úgo is the older word for ùùgì. It means wisdom or mastery of a trade or craft. But as with most of these words, its full import is impossible to translate. For a better understanding, I’ll remind you of the biblical Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Remember? That everyone has a gift. Among the Agîkûyû, everyone has a gift, their úgo. One might be a healer, a seer, a master of a certain art… To each their úgo. What is yours?

Útonga.

Útonga means riches, wealth. The Agîkûyû perception of wealth is however not limited to material. The people did not count their goats or cows. But they also did not count their children. For children are Útonga as well. In fact, when a young couple is getting married, part of the blessing that is said by the elders is that they may be wealthy in material and in children.

Úthamaki

Kingdom. Dominion. This one also remindse of a biblical story, that of creation and Adam being given ‘dominion over earth’. That is the Nongorio of this ngemi. That you may rule over your own life, that you may have ownership of your own property, be honored by your children…

Úcaamba

The fifth ngemi is only said for the boy child. Ucaamba is bravery. It is masculinity. To have Ucaamba is to be a njamba, a man who will stand up for himself, his family and his community. An uprightan, who will uphold the virtues that he must. A leader in his own family.

The Nongorio of these ngemi will stay with you all your life. It is a sincere prayer of the whole community that this child grows bearing these blessings.

May Ngai be with you.

Nîniî, Waiyaki.